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Kratos Defense & Security Solutions, Inc.: Q3 FY2026 earnings call

What management said about Q3 FY2026, from the documents filed with the SEC on 5 November 2026: press release. Guidance figures: 1 raised, 4 lowered, 1 narrowed, 5 new, 1 kept. The quarter’s numbers.

Key takeaways

  • Revenue rose 35.7 percent: Third-quarter revenue was $471.8 million, up $124.2 million from a year earlier, including 23.2 percent organic growth. Source
  • GAAP net loss for the quarter: The company reported a GAAP net loss of $0.2 million, or $0.00 per diluted share, against net income of $8.7 million a year earlier. Operating loss was $4.9 million. Source
  • Government Solutions revenue up 52.5 percent: KGS revenue was $397.2 million, up from $260.4 million, with 35.8 percent organic growth. KGS operating income was $15.1 million against $13.7 million. Source
  • Unmanned Systems revenue declined: KUS revenue was $74.6 million, down from $87.2 million, a prior-year total that included $16.1 million from a Valkyrie shipment to an international customer. KUS operating loss was $0.9 million. Source
  • Quarter bookings at 2.2 to 1: Consolidated bookings were $1.037 billion, a 2.2 to 1.0 book-to-bill ratio. Trailing twelve-month bookings were $2.614 billion, a 1.6 to 1.0 ratio. Source
  • Adjusted EBITDA margin rose to 10.8%: Adjusted EBITDA was $50.9 million, or 10.8 percent of revenue, against $30.8 million, or 8.9 percent, a year earlier. Management ties the margin to scale and leverage. Source
  • Free cash flow use of $29.4 million: Free cash flow use was $29.4 million after $30.2 million of capital expenditures, net of $0.4 million asset-sale proceeds and $5.6 million state grant proceeds. Source
  • Forecast assumes continuing resolution: The FY27 forecast assumes the continuing resolution in place since October 1, 2026 stays in effect into fiscal 2027. Source

“Kratos third quarter results reflect our position as a leading defense technology, hardware, software and systems company, aligned with the Department of War’s priorities and reindustrialization efforts.”

Eric DeMarco, Kratos’ President and CEO

Guidance

AreaPeriodFigureAgainst last quarter
Revenue SourceFourth quarter 2026$480 - $510 millionNew
Revenue SourceFull year 2026$1,780 - $1,810 millionNarrowed, low end up from $1,750 - $1,810 million
Adjusted EBITDA SourceFourth quarter 2026$48 - $52 millionNew
Adjusted EBITDA SourceFull year 2026$176 - $180 millionRaised from $173 - $176 million
Operating income SourceFull year 2026$2 - $7 millionLowered from $16 - $22 million
Operating cash flow SourceFull year 2026($10) - $10 millionLowered from $30 - $50 million
Capital expenditures SourceFull year 2026$100 - $110 millionLowered from $125 - $135 million
Free cash flow use SourceFull year 2026($110 - $120) millionLowered from ($85 - $105) million
Revenue SourceFull year 2027$2,100 - $2,200 millionNew
Adjusted EBITDA SourceFull year 2027$230 - $240 millionNew
Turbo jet engine sales SourceCalendar 2027approximately 1,500 enginesNew
Turbo jet engine production Source2027 and 2028up to 3,000 engines in 2027; potentially up to 5,000 additional in 2028Kept

What changed from last quarter

  • Guidance raised: Full-year 2026 revenue range tightened to $1,780 to $1,810 million from $1,750 to $1,810 million. Source
  • Guidance raised: Full-year 2026 Adjusted EBITDA guidance raised to $176 to $180 million from $173 to $176 million. Source
  • Guidance lowered: Full-year 2026 operating income guidance is $2 to $7 million, down from $16 to $22 million. Source
  • Guidance lowered: Full-year 2026 operating cash flow guidance is ($10) to $10 million, down from $30 to $50 million. Source
  • Guidance lowered: Full-year 2026 capital expenditure guidance is $100 to $110 million, down from $125 to $135 million. Source
  • Guidance lowered: Full-year 2026 free cash flow use guidance widened to ($110) to ($120) million from ($85) to ($105) million. Source
  • New guidance: Fourth-quarter 2026 guidance is provided; the prior release gave only third-quarter guidance. Source
  • New guidance: Initial full-year 2027 financial forecast is provided in this release. Source
  • New: Forecast adds beginning procurement of inventory, materials and components for turbofan jet engines used in missiles and drones. Source

Results and growth drivers

  • Revenue rose 35.7 percent: Third-quarter revenue was $471.8 million, up $124.2 million from a year earlier, including 23.2 percent organic growth. Source
  • GAAP net loss for the quarter: The company reported a GAAP net loss of $0.2 million, or $0.00 per diluted share, against net income of $8.7 million a year earlier. Operating loss was $4.9 million. Source
  • Adjusted EPS rose to $0.24: Adjusted EPS was $0.24, compared with $0.14 in the third quarter of 2025. Source

Segment results

  • Government Solutions revenue up 52.5 percent: KGS revenue was $397.2 million, up from $260.4 million, with 35.8 percent organic growth. KGS operating income was $15.1 million against $13.7 million. Source
  • Unmanned Systems revenue declined: KUS revenue was $74.6 million, down from $87.2 million, a prior-year total that included $16.1 million from a Valkyrie shipment to an international customer. KUS operating loss was $0.9 million. Source
  • Rocket and turbine units grew fastest: Defense and Rocket Support organic growth was 149.0 percent, Turbine Technologies 27.1 percent, Microwave Products 16.6 percent, and Space, Training and Cyber 11.6 percent. Source
  • KGS Adjusted EBITDA rose to $46.3 million: KGS Adjusted EBITDA was $46.3 million, against $24.4 million, which the company attributes to volume and mix in revenues and resources. Source

“There is a generational recapitalization of the U.S. and its allies’ military industrial base underway, with a limited number of global companies like Kratos qualified to address it.”

Eric DeMarco, Kratos’ President and CEO

Bookings and backlog

  • Quarter bookings at 2.2 to 1: Consolidated bookings were $1.037 billion, a 2.2 to 1.0 book-to-bill ratio. Trailing twelve-month bookings were $2.614 billion, a 1.6 to 1.0 ratio. Source
  • KGS bookings included MACH-TB funding: KGS bookings were $979.9 million, a 2.5 to 1.0 ratio, including further MACH-TB contract funding modifications and space-related awards. Source
  • KUS bookings below revenue: KUS bookings were $57.4 million, a 0.8 to 1.0 ratio, and KUS backlog ended at $357.4 million, down from $374.6 million at the second quarter end. Source
  • Bid pipeline grew in space, hypersonics: The bid and proposal pipeline grew from the prior quarter, with the most notable increases in space, training and hypersonic businesses. Source

Products and production ramp

  • Jet engine output for missiles and drones: Working capital is set aside for materials and equipment to raise turbo jet engine output for small cruise missiles and drones. Source
  • Valkyrie and jet drone inventory: Management expects to keep ordering inventory, components and materials for Valkyrie and other jet drone systems throughout 2027. Source
  • Space prime integrator pursuit: Space and Satellite is pursuing a large pipeline in which Kratos would be the prime system integrator if successful. Source
  • Hypersonic, rocket and drone investments: Forecast investments cover hypersonic, rocket system, turbine technology and unmanned systems, including rocket motors, jet engines and UAVs. Source

“The world threat environment is real and increasing, and I believe that there is bipartisan conviction and support for an increased U.S. National Security spend”

Eric DeMarco, Kratos’ President and CEO

Margins and costs

  • Adjusted EBITDA margin rose to 10.8%: Adjusted EBITDA was $50.9 million, or 10.8 percent of revenue, against $30.8 million, or 8.9 percent, a year earlier. Management ties the margin to scale and leverage. Source
  • KUS margin fell to 6.2 percent: KUS Adjusted EBITDA was $4.6 million, or 6.2 percent of revenue, against $6.4 million or 7.3 percent, reflecting revenue volume and mix. Source
  • Amortization and R&D spending: Non-cash amortization was $23.3 million, and company-funded R&D was $15.0 million, spent across space, satellite, unmanned and microwave efforts. Source
  • Stock compensation charge: Stock-based compensation was $18.1 million, included in the GAAP net loss and operating loss. Source

Cash flow and capital spending

  • Operating cash used $5.2 million: Cash used in operations was $5.2 million, mainly from receivables tied to 35.7 percent revenue growth, plus inventory for production ramps and development. Source
  • Free cash flow use of $29.4 million: Free cash flow use was $29.4 million after $30.2 million of capital expenditures, net of $0.4 million asset-sale proceeds and $5.6 million state grant proceeds. Source
  • Cash balance rose on share sales: Cash and equivalents were $1,404.3 million at September 27, 2026, against $560.6 million at December 28, 2025, helped by $1,348.4 million of stock issuance proceeds. Source
  • Nine-month capital spending: Nine-month capital expenditures were $67.3 million, against $71.1 million a year earlier, with $7.6 million of state grant proceeds for capital construction. Source

Investment and facilities

  • Investment runs through fiscal 2027: Management expects investment in inventory, property, plant, equipment and facilities to continue at least through fiscal 2027, consistent with DoW strategy. Source
  • Prometheus and hypersonic facilities: Internally funded projects include the Prometheus joint venture, the Anaconda radar, Helios hypersonic and Indiana hypersonic integration facility. Source
  • Second Valkyrie lot in build: Planned spending includes the continued build of a second lot of 12 capital Valkyrie aircraft. Source
  • Named hypersonic initiatives: Named initiatives are Vulcan, Kraken, Elysium, Nemesis and Hermes, alongside other hypersonic-related investments. Source

Fiscal 2027 forecast and funding

  • Forecast assumes continuing resolution: The FY27 forecast assumes the continuing resolution in place since October 1, 2026 stays in effect into fiscal 2027. Source
  • CR expected past December 11: Management currently expects the existing CR to be extended beyond December 11, 2026, and at least into the first fiscal quarter of 2027. Source
  • Q1 2027 expected to be lowest: Q1 2027 is currently expected to be the lowest quarter for revenue and Adjusted EBITDA, with Q2 higher and a significant increase in Q3. Source
  • Later 2027 quarters expected higher: Management expects third and fourth quarter 2027 revenue and Adjusted EBITDA to be substantially greater, assuming annual appropriations are in place. Source

Coming up, as management said on 5 November 2026

  • FY27 cash flow guidance in February: Operating and free cash flow guidance for FY27 comes with the fourth-quarter and full-year 2026 report, after CR clarity and once the new Congress is seated. Source
  • Jet engine deliveries weighted to H2: Management said most planned 2027 jet engine deliveries are expected in the second half of the year. Source

Figures management reported

FigureReported
Consolidated backlog Source$2.650 billion
Funded and unfunded backlog Source$2.067 billion funded; $582.9 million unfunded
Bid and proposal pipeline Source$15.5 billion
KGS total backlog Source$2.292 billion

Risks management discussed

  • Regulatory: A CR extending beyond March 31, 2027 would require the company to reassess the initial FY27 forecast. Source
  • Regulatory: The guidance and forecast do not assume a federal shutdown; a shutdown would require reassessing the 2026 guidance and 2027 forecast. Source
  • Regulatory: Under a CR, new program starts and production-rate increases are typically restricted, and development programs may not move to production. Source
  • Operational: Management cites possible parts shortages and continued cost and price increases affecting the industry and Kratos. Source
  • Financial: Management said ongoing bid, proposal and staffing investment is currently weighing on profit margins and free cash flow. Source
  • Financial: Large prime integrator programs could increase organic growth but at a somewhat lower Adjusted EBITDA margin rate. Source
  • Financial: Some drone investments may be classified as working capital or as capital expenditures, depending on facts and circumstances. Source
  • Demand: The mix of customer drone orders may differ from current expectations, which could change drone production mix and numbers. Source

Earlier plans management reported on

  • Not stated: The prior release guided third-quarter organic growth to 19 to 25 percent; the current release does not state whether this was met.
  • Met: The prior release planned the initial 2027 forecast for the third-quarter report; the current release says the forecast was provided.
  • Not stated: The current release says the 2027 margin forecast is consistent with previous expectations; the 100 bps step is not restated.
  • Not stated: The prior release expected this margin comparison; the current release does not restate it.
  • Not stated: The prior release stated this production plan; the current release does not restate the approximately 40 annual figure.

Other quarters

Summarised with AI from the documents the company filed with the SEC. Every point is checked against the filing before it is shown: management’s own words word for word, figures against the line or table row they come from. A point that fails the check is left out. Source opens the filing at that line.